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Arshad Nadeem: Pakistan’s star javelin thrower vows to win medal in Paris Olympics
Arshad Nadeem, Pakistani athlete specialising in the javelin throw, thanked the whole nation for supporting him in Tokyo Olympics and vowed to win a medal in the Paris Olympics scheduled to be held in 2024.
In an interview with a local media outlet, the star athlete said that he tried his best level and knew the whole nation was being supportive towards him.
“In sports it happens,” he added.
The 24-year-old further added, that it was definitely in his mind that he should not return without a medal but unfortunately it didn’t happen.
Elaborating the dodge of medal, Arshad said, “There were two major reasons for my bad performance, first it was quite hot and secondly my body did not respond”.
“It happened for the first time in my career,” he stressed.
“When I did my third throw, I started feeling dizzy and was unable to see anything,” he said.
Arshad further said that he was planning to do his best throw and win a medal and not to disappoint his nation.
"When I threw and realized that I lost my goal, I was not actually in senses and was deeply sad because the whole nation was praying for me and I was unable to live up to the nation’s expectations,” Arshad added.
The Javelin thrower said, “It was my first Olympics and others in the competition were from developed countries, while I wasn't”, adding that he is from a small village with no facilities.
“I pledge that I will work stiffer and show more resolve in future to win a big title for Pakistan," he stated.
The athlete said that when they were going for the closing ceremony, India’s Neeraj Chopra came to him and consoled him, saying it was bad luck that he did not manage a good throw in the finals.
Moreover, Arshad is a bronze medalist of the 2018 Asian Games.
Arshad Nadeem, hailing from Mian Channu, held the gold medal spot in Tokyo Olympics 2020 until the final round and finished on the fifth spot.
COURTESY: THE NEWS INTERNATIONAL